Native American Cultural Celebration

The First Nations Student Union at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is turning
its annual “Salmon Bake” celebration into a trio of free cultural events, May 28-30,
all accessed remotely.

Forgoing the popular fish feast and dancing demonstration this year due to Covid-19
concerns, the student group and the college’s Native American program are instead
presenting a flute concert, a traditional weaving tutorial and a storytelling event
via live and prerecorded sessions. View the events on the COCC Native American Program webpage.

On Thursday, May 28, flutist James Edmund Greeley, a Native American Music Award winner,
will be performing an hour-long outdoor show from the Warm Springs Reservation. Greeley
is of Hopi, Warm Springs, Wasco and Nez Perce descent. The prerecorded concert will
be accessible all day for viewing.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, May 29, Brenda Brainard, of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos,
Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, will be leading a live virtual weaving project on
Zoom. Limited to 30 participants; contact Michelle Cary at mcary@cocc.edu to register and receive materials.

On Saturday, May 30, Jefferson Greene from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
will be sharing some traditional Native American stories. Greene is an Ichishkín language
and cultural liaison for the tribes. The stories will be posted all day Saturday.
More than four percent of COCC’s students are American Indian or Alaska Native.

For more information, contact Michelle Cary, Native American program coordinator,
at 541-318-3782 or mcary@cocc.edu.